Map/Chart > The Great Lakes & Champlain

A Plan of York Harbour (now Toronto) in Upper Canada

Drawn by Joseph Bouchette this plan makes full reference to events in 1793 and 1794 when he was responsible for surveys of the harbour.

Chart Information

Reference:

A908

Date

1794

Hydrographer/Surveyor/Artist:

Joseph Bouchette

Size Of Original:

w 31" x h 23"

Paper Type

German Hahnemuhle Etching Paper 310gms (original size)

Further Information

This print is
also available framed (USA & Canada delivery only) .

Chart ID

Size

Dimensions

Print Only

Framed

Notes

A908

Original

w31" x h23"

$177

$395

1.5" frame

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available in either black or brown wood with UV protective acrylic glazing. Please go to the drop down menu (Standard Print Sizes) to
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Read the full Chart History here:

This historic plan of the town of York
,which after the war of 1812 became Toronto.It was drawn by Joseph Bouchette, the Admiralty surveyor of
the Great Lakes.At the time when
it was already the capital of Upper Canada, as designated by John Grave Simcoe,
the then Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada.Prior to the establishment of York as the Capital the
British had controlled their provincial operations from Niagara but that had
proven vulnerable to attack from the Americans.

York was initially little more than a
military outpost, although there had been settlement here for many years, ever
since the land had been purchased from the indigeonous indians, the
Mississaugas of the New Credit.

At the time this plan was drawn the
settlement had less than 500 inhabitants.Even by the end of the 1812-14 American conflict which saw the town
attacked and sacked by the Americans, the population was a mere 720 in
number.After the war the town
expanded quickly because of its importance as the colonial capital, which
attracted institutions with province-wide interests, including banks and
schools. Geographically it served the commercial needs of a newly settled
hinterland at a time of expanding trade and improving transportation.

Bouchette’s beautiful plan includes a
great deal of historic detail, which forms a part of Totonto’s colourful
history.His extensive remarks
give a clear explanation as to why the location of the settlement was so
important with its natural harbour where ‘such is the situation of this harbour
that vessels might winter with the greatest safety..’His full description of the harbour also points to the
location of the Garrison, which protects the harbour.Not only is the entrance narrow but there is very little
room for maneuver for ships entering or leaving with a shallow ‘hard bottom’ to
either side of the channel. He offers no detail of the town
at the time other than to indicate where the military ‘reserves’ were located
and the presence of Castle Francis on the banks of the river Don.His main focus is clearly the
hydrography of the harbour.

Bouchette is clear that in the ‘in the
Spring and Fall of the year, but more particularly in the latter as they are
exposed to very severe gales of wind from S.W. and W.S.W. with a very heavy
sea, therefore in this season of the year, if vessels have not their sailing
Orders, it would be far better to return to Port’.

By way of example, clearly marked on the
plan, is the track of the His Majestey’s Ship Anandada (Onagonda) which in the
Autumn of 1793 floundered on the sandy shoal on the outer bank of the harbour
atthe hands of a young
inexperienced officerThe ship is
marked by Bouchette in two places, first where she struck and secondly where
she, presumably, drifted to.

Bouchette is, mainly through his own
offices and later accounts, credited with refloating the Anandaga and then
anchored her where she ‘rode by a single kedge anchore & grapnel in the
safety of the anchorage (marked A on the plan).He reputedly received a promotion for his actions.